Must-Have Apps for Streaming
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Transforming your Android TV into a central hub for entertainment is effortless with the right streaming apps. You can access a world of movies, shows, and live channels, all from the comfort of your couch.
Netflix
Netflix is the world’s leading subscription service for watching TV series and movies, and it is one of the best Android TV apps. It offers a wide range of original content, as well as some of the most popular TV shows and movies. With a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more, Netflix offers something for everyone. The app provides a user-friendly interface, personalized recommendations, and high-quality streaming, making it a must-have for any Android TV user. You can enjoy seamless playback, create watchlists, and easily manage your account settings. Whether you’re looking for the latest blockbuster hits, critically acclaimed series, or hidden gems, Netflix has you covered.
Netflix’s commitment to original programming has made it a frontrunner in the streaming industry. From Stranger Things to The Crown, Netflix Originals have garnered critical acclaim and captivated audiences worldwide. The platform also offers a diverse selection of international content, allowing you to explore movies and shows from different cultures and languages. With regular updates and new releases, Netflix ensures there’s always something fresh to watch. Whether you prefer binge-watching entire seasons or savoring episodes one at a time, Netflix offers the flexibility to enjoy content at your own pace. The app also allows you to download titles for offline viewing, making it ideal for travel or commuting.
Netflix’s parental controls allow you to create profiles for different family members, ensuring age-appropriate content for younger viewers. With its comprehensive library, user-friendly features, and commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment, Netflix remains an essential app for Android TV users who demand the best in streaming.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is another top contender in the streaming arena, offering a wide selection of movies, TV shows, and original content. As part of the Amazon Prime subscription, Prime Video provides excellent value for money, especially if you’re already a Prime member for other benefits like free shipping. The app boasts a vast library, including popular movies, classic TV series, and acclaimed Amazon Originals like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Boys. With a user-friendly interface and personalized recommendations, Prime Video makes it easy to find something to watch.
One of the standout features of Amazon Prime Video is its integration with other Amazon services. Prime members can enjoy additional perks, such as free access to Prime Music and Prime Reading, enhancing the overall value proposition. The app also allows you to rent or buy movies and TV shows that are not included in the Prime subscription. This gives you access to an even wider catalog of content, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for a Hollywood blockbuster, an independent film, or a classic sitcom, Amazon Prime Video has something for everyone.
Amazon Prime Video also supports 4K Ultra HD streaming with HDR, providing a stunning visual experience for compatible devices. With its extensive library, seamless integration with Amazon services, and high-quality streaming capabilities, Amazon Prime Video is an excellent choice for Android TV users seeking a comprehensive streaming experience.
Hulu
Continuing our countdown of the must-have premium TV services, don’t forget about Hulu. They are a much smaller operation, with only about 4 million subscribers, but they have some of the best streaming content available. Hulu offers a diverse library of movies, TV shows, and original content, making it a strong contender in the streaming landscape. Known for its focus on current-season TV shows, Hulu allows you to stay up-to-date with your favorite series shortly after they air.
Hulu’s subscription plans offer flexibility, allowing you to choose between ad-supported and ad-free viewing experiences. The platform also provides a live TV option, Hulu Live TV, which includes access to a variety of cable channels, making it a viable alternative to traditional cable TV. Hulu Originals have also gained recognition, with shows like The Handmaid’s Tale and Little Fires Everywhere garnering critical acclaim and audience praise. The app offers a user-friendly interface, personalized recommendations, and the ability to create profiles for different viewers.
With its focus on current TV shows, flexible subscription plans, and impressive original content, Hulu provides a compelling streaming experience for Android TV users. Whether you’re looking to catch up on the latest episodes or explore Hulu’s original programming, the platform offers a wide array of entertainment options. Hulu’s commitment to providing a diverse library and convenient features makes it a valuable addition to your Android TV streaming lineup.
YouTube TV
For those seeking a more comprehensive cable TV replacement, YouTube TV stands out as an excellent option. This live TV streaming service offers a vast selection of channels, including local networks, sports channels, news channels, and entertainment channels, providing a well-rounded entertainment experience. With YouTube TV, you can enjoy live sports, catch up on your favorite shows, and stay informed about current events, all without a cable subscription. The service also includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record your favorite shows and watch them later at your convenience.
One of the key advantages of YouTube TV is its intuitive user interface and seamless integration with other Google services. You can easily navigate through channels, search for specific shows, and manage your DVR recordings. The app also offers personalized recommendations based on your viewing history. With its focus on live TV streaming, YouTube TV caters to users who want the traditional cable TV experience with the added flexibility and convenience of online streaming. You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward live TV, and you can access your recordings from any device.
YouTube TV’s extensive channel lineup, unlimited DVR storage, and user-friendly interface make it a top choice for Android TV users seeking a comprehensive live TV streaming solution. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a news junkie, or simply enjoy a wide variety of channels, YouTube TV provides a robust and satisfying cable TV alternative.
Essential Apps for Multimedia
Beyond streaming, Android TV offers a rich multimedia experience with apps dedicated to music, videos, and photos. Enhance your audio-visual enjoyment with these essential multimedia apps.
Spotify
Best music player for Android TV. Spotify is one of Android TVs best music player apps, offering a vast collection of songs, playlists, and podcasts. With an easy-to-use interface optimized for TV screens, it provides easy navigation, search, and personalized recommendations. The app allows seamless playback, creating and saving playlists. Spotify stands out as a leading music streaming app, offering a vast library of songs, albums, playlists, and podcasts. With millions of tracks from various artists and genres, Spotify caters to a wide range of musical tastes and preferences. Whether you’re into pop, rock, hip-hop, classical, or anything in between, you’re sure to find something to enjoy on Spotify.
The app’s user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through your music library, discover new artists, and create personalized playlists. Spotify’s curated playlists, based on your listening history and preferences, introduce you to fresh tracks and help you explore different genres. You can also follow your favorite artists, get notified about new releases, and share your musical discoveries with friends and family. Spotify’s premium subscription unlocks additional features, such as ad-free listening, offline playback, and higher audio quality, enhancing your music streaming experience.
With its vast music library, personalized recommendations, and seamless integration with Android TV, Spotify is an essential app for music lovers. Whether you’re hosting a party, relaxing at home, or working out, Spotify provides the soundtrack to your life.
MX Player
MX Player has long been considered one of the best video players on Android. Its qualities comfortably translate onto the larger screen. The app can play a vast number of codecs and supports subtitle files. MX Players interface is also smooth and easy to use. When it comes to playing local video files, MX Player emerges as a powerful and versatile option. This popular video player supports a wide range of video file formats, ensuring compatibility with various video sources. Whether you have movies downloaded from the internet, home videos, or other video content stored locally, MX Player can handle it with ease.
The app offers advanced playback features, including hardware acceleration for smooth playback, multi-core decoding for enhanced performance, and subtitle support with customization options. MX Player also provides gesture controls, allowing you to easily adjust volume, brightness, and seek through the video with simple swipes. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate your video library, create playlists, and customize playback settings to your preferences.
With its extensive format support, advanced playback features, and user-friendly design, MX Player is an indispensable tool for Android TV users who frequently play local video content. Whether you’re watching movies, TV shows, or personal videos, MX Player ensures a seamless and enjoyable viewing experience.
VLC Player
Chances are your Android TV can accept USB drives or storage devices of some sort, but if your TV or Android TV doesn’t know how to play the file format of a stored file, you may be out of luck. VLC player has been a highly regarded app for so many years because of its ability to play nearly any type of file format. VLC Player, another renowned video player, stands out for its exceptional format support and versatility. Known for its ability to play almost any video file format, VLC Player ensures compatibility with a wide array of video sources, including DVDs, CDs, and various streaming protocols.
VLC Player offers a comprehensive set of features, including subtitle support, audio and video synchronization adjustment, and playback speed control. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate through your video library and customize playback settings to your liking. VLC Player also supports network streaming, allowing you to stream videos from your computer or other network devices to your Android TV.
With its unparalleled format support, extensive features, and cross-platform compatibility, VLC Player remains a top choice for Android TV users seeking a reliable and versatile video player. Whether you’re playing local files, streaming content from the network, or enjoying multimedia content from various sources, VLC Player delivers a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Useful Utility Apps
Beyond entertainment and multimedia, Android TV offers utility apps that enhance functionality and personalize your TV experience. Improve your TV’s usability with these helpful apps;
Sideload Launcher
The TV launcher is available for free and is a must-have for those who sideload Android apps on their TV on a regular basis. Head here to get the app from the Google Play Store. Sideload Launcher is an essential tool for Android TV users who want to expand their app options beyond the Google Play Store. Sideloading allows you to install apps that are not officially available on the Play Store, giving you access to a wider range of apps and customization options.
Sideload Launcher provides a convenient way to access and manage your sideloaded apps. Without a dedicated launcher, sideloaded apps can be difficult to find and launch on Android TV. Sideload Launcher solves this problem by creating a dedicated space for your sideloaded apps, making them easily accessible from your Android TV home screen. The app also allows you to organize your sideloaded apps into categories, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
With its user-friendly interface and ability to organize and launch sideloaded apps, Sideload Launcher is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore the full potential of their Android TV. Whether you’re looking for niche apps, experimental apps, or simply want more control over your app library, Sideload Launcher empowers you to personalize your Android TV experience.